Reps. LaJoy, Baxter, Pavlov, Caul, Pearce, Acciavatti, Newell, David Law, Moore, Walker, Nofs, Pastor, Robertson, Taub, Brandenburg, Vander Veen, Casperson, Stewart, Stahl, Steil, Gaffney, Jones, Amos, Proos, Drolet, Mortimer, Marleau, Rocca, Ball and Kooiman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 31.

            A resolution to memorialize Congress to enact highway reauthorization legislation with a level of funding that closes the gap between federal fuel tax dollars paid by Michigan motorists and dollars received to address Michigan’s transportation needs.

            Whereas, The sixth short-term extension of the federal road and transit funding authorization act known as the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or TEA 21, expires on May 31, 2005.  The uncertainty regarding long-term federal funding hampers Michigan's ability to effectively plan investments in infrastructure and may contribute to delays in critical highway and transit projects; and

            Whereas, Michigan has long been a “donor state,” contributing a greater share to the Federal Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account than the share of federal transportation funds returned for use in Michigan; and

            Whereas, Last session, the United States Senate passed highway reauthorization legislation that would have provided $318 billion for highways and transit systems nationwide over six years and increased Michigan's rate of return on our federal transportation taxes from 90.5 percent to 95 percent.  In addition, the bill would have provided up to $300 million more for Michigan transportation systems each year, and could have created several thousand new jobs.  The House passed reauthorizing legislation that would have provided $284 billion for highways and transit systems and would have reduced Michigan’s rate of return below the current level of 90.5 percent.  The Conference Committee narrowed the funding difference to between $284 and $299 billion, but left unresolved the question of funding equity for donor states such as Michigan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House, That we memorialize Congress to enact highway reauthorization legislation with a level of funding that closes the gap between federal fuel tax dollars paid by Michigan motorists and dollars received to address Michigan’s transportation needs; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.